Partial Error in Load Transfer

When an error occurs while transferring vertical loads in the program, the program warns on the Analysis screen with the message: partial error in load transfer, Partial Error Rate= %...

The most practical way to resolve the error is to select the finite element method in the vertical load analysis.

When the options are set as shown in the image, load transfer from slabs to walls, beams, and columns is performed using shell finite elements, and load transfer between beam/column wall elements is also performed using finite elements. This eliminates errors that can occur in classical analysis. For this option to work correctly, it is especially important that slabs are defined from the centerline of the wall/beam.

For regular buildings, a regular rectangular slab finite element mesh is sufficient.

If your building has a problem such as walls on the upper storey not continuing to the lower storey (for example, in an existing building survey), there are 2 solutions to the problem.

1. Solution

The most suitable solution is the irregular triangular mesh option shown below.

More detailed information on this topic can be found at Slab Finite Element Mesh Option.

2. Solution

If you are using a version prior to Version 6, this can be used instead of the first solution. Fictitious (imaginary/non-existent) beams with a slab thickness are defined beneath the walls on the upper storey that do not continue to the lower storey (at the ceiling of the lower storey). In this case, the lower storey beam transfers the load it receives from the upper storey wall to the elements it is connected to.

If Classical Analysis is preferred instead of Finite Element Solution, fictitious (imaginary/non-existent) beams with a slab thickness are defined beneath the walls on the upper storey that do not continue to the lower storey (at the ceiling of the lower storey). In this case, the lower storey beam transfers the load it receives from the upper storey wall to the elements it is connected to. Additionally, the load transfer error arising from slabs is addressed as described at Reducing Slab-Induced Load Transfer Errors.